Music you've never heard….'til now! A blog of rare, hardly-heard or remembered pop, hip-hop, R&B, freestyle and dance music from the 80s and 90s. From one-hit wonders to no-hit wonders, this blog has it all!!

Monday, April 30, 2012

Tricky Nikki was a female hip-hop\rapper from the late 80's\early 90's. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Time-X Records.

In 1989, she released her first single, "Bust the Rhythm of My ABC's." The song was co-written by female hip-hop act, L'Trimm (who also provided background vocals on the song as well). It's unknown how or if the single ever charted.

In 1990, she released her second and last single to date, "I Touched It" which also failed to make the Billboard charts.

After that, it seems as if Tricky Nikki has faded into obscurity. It's unknown what she's up to these days.

Pu-Tang Pam was a female rapper from the early 90's. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Time-X Records.

In 1992, she released her only single, "Pu-Tang Pam" which didn't appear to make the charts at all. After that, it seems as if Pu-Tang Pam has faded into obscurity. The song is available on iTunes on the "Ladies of Bass" compliation album.

Billy Lawrence (born on January 20, 1971 in St. Louis, Missouri) was a female R&B\songwriter from the '90s.

She got her start in the music biz as a background singer for Jamaican singer, Jimmy Cliff. Not long after that, Billy was signed to EastWest Records and recorded her debut album.

In 1994, Billy's debut album, "One Might Say" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

Her first single, "Happiness" peaked at #87 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #61 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

The follow-up single "Boyfriend" didn't chart at all. She was featured on the 1995 movie soundtrack "Panther" on the song "Freedom."

In 1997, Billy released her sophomore album "Paradise" which peaked at #57 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Come On" featuring rapper MC Lyte, peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, #14 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #19 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The song became Billy's highest solo chart appearance on the Hot 100 and was featured on the 1996 movie soundtrack, "Set it Off."

She was featured on rapper & labelmate, Rampage's song, "Take it To the Streets" which peaked at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #11 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The follow-up single from Billy's second album, "Up & Down" which peaked at #92 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #47 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

After the release of her second album, Billy was featured on rapper Mase's debut album, "Harlem World" and (along with her brother, Kyra Lawrence), she wrote & sang background vocals on singer Jennifer Lopez's debut album, "On the 6."

Billy also wrote & sang background vocals for R&B group Allure. Rapper Charli Baltimore recruited her to be on her debut album "Cold as Ice" on a song called "Pull the Alarm," but the album was never released. She even wrote Blaque's song, "Bring it All to Me."

In 1999, Billy worked with R&B band, TLC on their album, "FanMail" and wrote four songs out of 40 that were recorded during the album-making phase, but none of the songs made the final cut.

Billy was also recording for her next album, "Too Many Times." The first single was going to be the title track featuring TLC and the album was scheduled for release in November, but it was pushed back until Elektra Entertainment was bought out by Warner Music Group & eventually the album was shelved.

After leaving the label, Billy signed with Epic Records. She wrote & sung background vocals for two songs on Mandy Moore's debut album "So Real."

After that, it seemed as if she faded into obscurity, but these days, Billy resides in Atlanta, Georgia and her niece, Kylie is a singer as well. It also appears that she is still active with her music career.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Jesse Campbell (born in Maywood, Illinois) is an R&B singer who started out singing in church as a teenager and later was featured on recordings by gospel artists such as the Winans and Timothy Wright.

In 1994, he signed a record contract with Capitol Records imprint label, Underworld Records.

In 1995, Jesse released his debut album, "Never Let You Go" which peaked at #53 on Billboard's Top R&B\Hip-Hop Albums chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

His first single, "When U Cry I Cry" peaked at #124 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #29 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

Jesse was featured on the soundtrack to the 1995 film, "Dead Presidents" on the track "Where is The Love" featuring singer Trina. The song helped push sales of the soundtrack to over 500,000 units which certified the soundtrack gold.

His popularity led to making appearances on "Showtime at the Apollo," the B.E.T. Network's "Video Soul" and "Soul Train."

After that, Jesse returned to gospel music. He has recorded music for various films and in 2006, he released his second album, "Hymns from the Heart, Vol. 1."

In 2009, he released the album "Sessions: A Musical Compliation of Songs" which is available on iTunes.

Jesse has performed as a soloist for many evangelists such as Joyce Myers, Benny Hinn, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Kenneth Ulmer, Noel Jones and Dr. Creflo Dollar. He has also fallen on some hard times.

After his wife walked on Jesse when he was unable to provide for his family financially, he and his young daughter were homeless, sleeping in their car until his brother moved to town to help out.

After a year, Jesse was back on his feet, making a living singing in churches and at weddings. In 2012, he was a contestant on the NBC reality singing show "The Voice," but was later eliminated in the quarterfinals.

During an appearance on "The Today Show," Jesse stated that he wasn't mad or disappointed about being eliminated from "The Voice" and is thankful for the experience. These days, it appears as if Jesse is still active with his singing career.

Isle of Man were a multi-ethnic pop\rock band (hailing from France, Nicaragua, Italy and the United States) from the 80's that consisted of singer Robere Parlez, guitarist Raun, bassist Jamie Roberto and drummer Ronnie Lee Sage.

In 1986, they released their self-titled debut album on Pasha Records which peaked at #110 on the Billboard 200 chart in September of that same year.

Their first single, "Am I Forgiven" peaked at #90 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of that same year, staying on the charts for 4 weeks.

Their follow-up singles, "Desperate Surrender" and "Building Bridges" were released, but they didn't chart at all.

Ronnie, Jamie and Raun were featured on Ava Cherry's 1987 album, "Picture Me." According to Discogs.com, Raun has a writing & arrangement credit on Jon Butcher's 1987 album "Wishes."

Other than that, nothing much has been heard from the members of Isle of Man. It appears they have faded into obscurity.

Nicki appeared in commercials starting at the age of five and won "Star Search." In 1991, she was signed to a record deal on Atlantic Records by the president of the record label, Ahmet Ertegun.

During that same year, Nicki released her debut album, "Naked (To the World)" which didn't appear to chart on the Billboard 200.

The first single from the album "Naked" peaked at #27 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The follow-up single, a cover version of Seal & Crofts' song, "Summer Breeze" peaked at #24 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

In 1999, Nicki made her acting debut in the independent urban drama film, "Colorz of Rage." She was a part of a female ensemble in the 2002 film, "Chicago" & appeared in two musical comedies by Robert Klein. She has also appeared in theater productions such as "Like Jazz," "Over the Top," "Spunk," and "Beehive."

Nicki performed on the PBS children's show "Between the Lions" and appeared in commercials for Burger King, Coca Cola, & Colgate.

In 2008, Nicki released her second self-titled album independently which is available on iTunes.

The first single from the album, "Bring the Love" peaked at #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in March of 2009.

The follow-up single, "Why You Wanna Hurt Me So Bad" peaked at #13 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in September of that same year.

Today, Nicki continues to perform and when she isn't performing, she resides in Manhattan, New York doing studio & jingle work.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Hello, this is the Music Know-It-All. Last Saturday marked the 4th anniversary of the Rare and Obscure Music blog. I know the transition from Wordpress back to Blogspot might have been confusing to some people, but I appreciate the people who visit the blog every now and then.

For the past 4 years, I have made some new fans, received positive feedback, and brought back memories to you music lovers. I cannot believe that I have been blogging for so long and how well the blog has been doing for 4 years.

I want to thank all the people who have visited the blog and left me positive reception & advice. I also want to thank the blogs that have inspired me: the Isle of Deserted Pop Stars and Milk Carton Pop Stars.
Happy 4th anniversary, Rare and Obscure Music.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Cee Farrow (born Christian Farrow in Frankfort, Germany) was a male pop\new wave singer from the 80's, who was signed to Rocshire Records.

In 1983, Cee released his only album, "Red and Blue." It's unknown how or if the album ever made the charts.

His only chart appearance was the single, "Should I Love You" which peaked at #82 on the Billboard Hot 100 and managed to peak at #91 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 3 weeks.

Cee's only album hasn't been re-released on CD due to his record label suffering from legal problems, causing all of their assets to be seized.

After that, nothing much was heard from Cee until 1991 when he released the single, "Imagination" on Graphite Records.

According to various sources, Cee sadly passed away of a brain disease attributed to AIDS in West Hollywood, California in 1995.